CVE-2017-8154 in Themes APP
Summary
by MITRE
The Themes App Honor 8 Lite Huawei mobile phones with software of versions before Prague-L31C576B172, versions before Prague-L31C530B160, versions before Prague-L31C432B180 has a man-in-the-middle (MITM) vulnerability due to the use of the insecure HTTP protocol for theme download. An attacker may exploit this vulnerability to tamper with downloaded themes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2023
The CVE-2017-8154 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Huawei Honor 8 Lite mobile devices running specific software versions. This vulnerability stems from the improper use of the insecure HTTP protocol during theme download operations, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit. The affected devices utilize software versions prior to Prague-L31C576B172, Prague-L31C530B160, and Prague-L31C432B180, indicating a widespread issue across multiple firmware releases. The vulnerability specifically targets the themes application functionality, which is a core component of the device's user interface customization capabilities.
The technical flaw manifests through the exploitation of the man-in-the-middle attack vector, where malicious actors positioned between the device and the theme server can intercept, modify, or replace downloaded theme files. This insecure communication channel operates without proper encryption or authentication mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious content into the theme download process. The HTTP protocol lacks the cryptographic protections necessary to ensure data integrity and confidentiality, making it susceptible to various network-based attacks including packet interception, content modification, and session hijacking. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an environment where unauthorized modifications can occur without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple theme tampering, as compromised themes could potentially contain malicious code or redirect users to phishing sites. Attackers could exploit this weakness to deliver malware disguised as legitimate themes, potentially gaining unauthorized access to device resources, user data, or even establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the device's overall security posture by undermining the trust model between the user and the device's software ecosystem. Given that themes are frequently downloaded and installed, the attack surface for exploitation is substantial, making this a particularly concerning issue for users who regularly update their device interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8154 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Huawei to address the underlying protocol implementation issues. Users should avoid connecting to untrusted networks when downloading themes and consider implementing network monitoring tools to detect suspicious traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for potential command execution through compromised theme files. Organizations should implement network segmentation and traffic inspection to prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable devices, while also considering the broader implications for mobile device management policies and secure software distribution practices across enterprise environments.